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Geckos, Cyrtodactylus dekkanensis (Gunther), and Cyrto- dactylus
albofaciatus (Boulenger), distinguished by their angularly bent undilated
digits, are usually found under rocks and stones in hill country. They feed
mainly on small insects. The commoner Cyrtodactylus dkkanensis is
reddish brown above with white, brown-edged transverse bands upon the
back and tail. A curved mark on the nape extends to the eyes. Whitish
below. In size it reaches a total length of 110 mm., of which, the head
body is 63mm. The genusCnemaspis is restricted to the hills of south India
only. In Peninsular India a single species, Cnemaspis kandiana has been
recorded in Mahabaleshwar.
The Rock and House Geckos of the genus Hemidactylus are
distinguished by the strong dilatations of their toes which enable them to
crawl on smooth surfaces. The largest species occurring in Maharashtra is
the Rock Gecko Hemidactylus maculatus Dum. and Bibr. which is not
uncommon in caves, rocks and on trees in forest tracts in the State. It
reaches a body length of 115 mm. and the tail may attain a length of
130mm. In colour dark brown with darker markings on the back. The
young are much lighter and have lines and bars on the body and on the
tail. The GeckoHemidactylus triedrus (Daudin) is often seen in association
with termite nest and appears to feed largely on termites. Found up to
4,000feetthroughout peninsular India and Ceylon. Brown above with
white bands and tubercles. Usually a broad dark brown-edged white bar
along the sides of the head. Lower parts whitish. It reaches80mm. in total
length of which the tail is30mm. Among the house Geckos. Hemidactylus
brooki Gray Hemidactylu frenatus Schlegel, Hemidactylus leschenaulti
Dum. and Bibr. and Hemidactylus flaviviridis Ruppell, brooki is the
commonest. However, it is also found away from buildings in forest and
scrub country and near river banks under stones, and similar situations. H.
brooki and most other House Geckos are widely distributed in India and
south-east Asia, apparently being carried along with man's effects.
Hemidactylus leschenaulti is also equally common on tree trunks and
prefers trees like the banian and the tamarind on which its greyish-brown
markings are cryptic. A larger species than brooki and frenatus (length
166mm.) it is common in south peninsular India. The more or less similar
FAUNA 627